UIAA Medical Commission Recommendations for Mountaineers, Hillwalkers, Trekkers, and Rock and Ice Climbers with Diabetes

Analyzing Injury Patterns in Climbing: A Comprehensive Study of Risk Factors

Climbing, a sport with increasing popularity, poses diverse risks and injury patterns across its various disciplines. This study evaluates the incidence and nature of climbing-related injuries, focusing on how different disciplines and climbers' personal characteristics affect these injuries. Data on injury incidence, severity, and consequences, as well as climbers' personal attributes, were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using generalized linear models and generalized linear mixed models, Cochran-Armitage tests, and multivariate analysis. Our findings indicate a direct correlation between time spent on bouldering and lead climbing and increased injury frequency, while injury incidence decreases with time in traditional climbing. Interestingly, personal characteristics showed no significant impact on injury incidence or severity. However, distinct patterns emerged in individual disciplines regarding the recent injuries in which age and weight of climbers play a role. While the phase of occurrence and duration of consequences show no significant variation across disciplines, the intensity of the required treatment and causes of injury differ. This research provides insights into climbing injuries' complex nature, highlighting the need for tailored preventive strategies across climbing disciplines. It underscores the necessity for further investigation into the factors contributing to climbing injuries, advocating for more targeted injury prevention and safety measures in this evolving sport.

Inpatient treatment of trekkers and Nepalese workers in the high-altitude environment of Mt. Everest Region 1996-2011: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

The study investigates the diagnoses of inpatients (tourists and Nepali workers) of Kunde Hospital (Mt.Everest region) over 15 years.

METHODS

Records from January 1996 to September 2011 were analyzed concerning date, gender, age group, nationality, purpose of visit, diagnosis, length of treatment, and condition at discharge. Diagnoses were coded according to ICD-10-WHO 2010. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. P < 0.05 was defined as significant.

RESULTS

479 inpatients were included: 363 (75.8%) males (202 trekkers (42.2%), 277 Nepalese workers (57.8%)). Most suffered from altitude sickness (45.5%), acute gastroenteritis (10.4%) or acute respiratory infection (8.4%). Severe cases of altitude sickness amongst trekkers decreased but increased amongst workers. Severe cases of acute gastroenteritis amongst trekkers increased. Mean length of inpatient treatment was 4.6 days ±2.7 days. 573/2030 days of treatment were caused by altitude sickness. 70 patients were evacuated, 9 died.

CONCLUSION

Altitude illness caused the majority of inpatient treatment and acute gastroenteritis may be an underestimated risk for both groups. Other severe problems were mostly illnesses, not trauma. Improved prevention strategies are needed for both groups. For tourists who often show pre-existing diseases this includes an individual pre-travel expert advice. Nepali workers should be instructed concerning acclimatization.